Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2010-11-22
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
20 pages, 4 figures, in press, Nature
Scientific paper
High-contrast near-infrared imaging of the nearby star HR 8799 has shown three giant planets. Such images were possible due to the wide orbits (> 25 AU) and youth (< 100 Myr) of the imaged planets, which are still hot and bright as they radiate away gravitational energy acquired during their formation. A major area of contention in the extrasolar planet community is whether outer planets (> 10 AU) more massive than Jupiter form via one-step gravitational instabilities or, rather, via a two-step process involving accretion of a core followed by accumulation of a massive outer envelope composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. Here we report the presence of a fourth planet, interior to and about the same mass as the other three. The system, with this additional planet, represents a challenge for current planet formation models as none of them can explain the in situ formation of all four planets. With its four young giant planets and known cold/warm debris belts, the HR 8799 planetary system is a unique laboratory to study the formation and evolution of giant planets at wide > 10 AU separations.
Barman Travis
Konopacky Quinn M.
Macintosh Bruce
Marois Christian
Zuckerman Ben
No associations
LandOfFree
Images of a fourth planet orbiting HR 8799 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Images of a fourth planet orbiting HR 8799, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Images of a fourth planet orbiting HR 8799 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-658300